Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.
Speech-Language Pathologists
SOC: 29-1127 O*NET: 29-1127.00
Median Salary
$95,410
per year
Job Growth
🚀 15%
Much Faster (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
13.3
projected jobs/year
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Job Zone 5
Assess and treat persons with speech, language, voice, and fluency disorders. May select alternative communication systems and teach their use. May perform research related to speech and language problems.
What does a Speech-Language Pathologists do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$60,480
10th percentile
Early Career
$75,310
25th percentile
Median
$95,410
50th percentile
Experienced
$112,510
75th percentile
Top Earners
$132,850
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$60,480
25th
$75,310
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$95,410
Mean: $95,840
75th
$112,510
90th
$132,850
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $72,370 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $75,310 and $112,510
- •Salary spread is 39.0% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 178,790 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Very High Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:187,400
Top Industries
Ambulatory Health Care Services32.1%
Offices of Other Health Practitioners27%
Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists26.3%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+15%
Annual Openings:13,300
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)187,400
Current
2034 (Projected)215,500
+15%
+28,200
Employment Change
+15%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Much faster than average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Speech-Language Pathologists professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
18,600 jobs$89,4501.16x
New York
16,250 jobs$108,8701.47x
California
14,680 jobs$116,0000.70x
Illinois
9,100 jobs$82,4801.29x
Florida
8,990 jobs$97,1500.79x
New Jersey
7,660 jobs$101,6001.56x
Ohio
7,660 jobs$88,3401.20x
Pennsylvania
6,860 jobs$93,8000.98x
North Carolina
5,160 jobs$87,4200.91x
Massachusetts
5,000 jobs$101,7901.18x
Michigan
4,410 jobs$81,8600.87x
Colorado
4,260 jobs$108,0701.27x
Georgia
4,190 jobs$99,1000.74x
Virginia
3,850 jobs$94,3700.82x
Minnesota
3,730 jobs$82,4501.10x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Much faster than average growth expected
- •High current market demand
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Social Perceptiveness
100%
#2
Active Listening
94%
#3
Reading Comprehension
86%
#4
Critical Thinking
80%
#5
Learning Strategies
74%
#6
Writing
66%
#7
Speaking
60%
#8
Active Learning
54%
#9
Complex Problem Solving
46%
#10
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Social Perceptiveness
advanced5.0
100%
Active Listening
advanced4.7
94%
Reading Comprehension
basic4.3
86%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.0
80%
Learning Strategies
intermediate3.7
74%
Writing
intermediate3.3
66%
Speaking
intermediate3.0
60%
Active Learning
basic2.7
54%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Social Perceptiveness
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Active Listening
advancedImportance94%
skills
4.7/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance86%
abilities
4.3/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance80%
abilities
4.0/5.0
Learning Strategies
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Writing
intermediateImportance66%
skills
3.3/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance60%
skills
3.0/5.0
Active Learning
basicImportance54%
abilities
2.7/5.0
Complex Problem Solving
advancedImportance46%
abilities
2.3/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers82%
5 shared skills
Adult Basic Education, Adult Secondary Education, and English as a Second Language Instructors82%
5 shared skills
Urologists82%
5 shared skills
Anthropologists and Archeologists82%
5 shared skills
Area, Ethnic, and Cultural Studies Teachers, Postsecondary82%
5 shared skills
Audiologists82%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
Learn on the Job:
- →Writing
- →Speaking
- →Active Learning
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Social Perceptiveness
- ✓Active Listening
- ✓Reading Comprehension
- ✓Critical Thinking
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Social Perceptiveness
- ★Active Listening
- ★Reading Comprehension
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Learning Strategies
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Speech-Language Pathologists
Technology Intensity
Very High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires expert digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Advanced software proficiencySystem architecture understandingAutomation and scriptingEmerging technology adaptationTechnical problem-solving
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
eClinicalWorks EHR software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
eClinicalWorks EHR software
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
CONSTANT TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
CONSTANT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy constant team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (4)Analysis & Evaluation (2)Planning & Development (8)Training & Development (4)Management & Supervision (1)Communication & Coordination (2)
1
Monitor patients' progress and adjust treatments accordingly.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Administer hearing or speech and language evaluations, tests, or examinations to patients to collect information on type and degree of impairments, using written or oral tests or special instruments.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Analysis & Evaluation97% perform98%
3
Develop or implement treatment plans for problems such as stuttering, delayed language, swallowing disorders, or inappropriate pitch or harsh voice problems, based on own assessments and recommendations of physicians, psychologists, or social workers.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development94% perform96%
4
Instruct clients in techniques for more effective communication, such as sign language, lip reading, or voice improvement.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development91% perform94%
5
Teach clients to control or strengthen tongue, jaw, face muscles, or breathing mechanisms.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development88% perform92%
6
Develop speech exercise programs to reduce disabilities.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development85% perform90%
7
Consult with and advise educators or medical staff on speech or hearing topics, such as communication strategies or speech and language stimulation.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Design, develop, or employ alternative diagnostic or communication devices or strategies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Planning & Development79% perform86%
9
Conduct lessons or direct educational or therapeutic games to assist teachers dealing with speech problems.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Management & Supervision76% perform84%
10
Communicate with students who use an alternative method of communications, using sign language or computer technology.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Communication & Coordination73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Speech-Language Pathologists
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Speech-Language Pathologists professionals typically have a SIC Holland code and highly value relationships
SSocial
IInvestigative
CConventional
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Speech-Language Pathologists
Dependability
CriticalDependability
Importance Level4.88
Integrity
CriticalIntegrity
Importance Level4.83
Concern for Others
CriticalConcern for Others
Importance Level4.78
Self-Control
CriticalSelf-Control
Importance Level4.78
Cooperation
CriticalCooperation
Importance Level4.77
Adaptability/Flexibility
CriticalAdaptability/Flexibility
Importance Level4.69
Complete Work Styles Profile
Dependability
4.9
Integrity
4.8
Concern for Others
4.8
Self-Control
4.8
Cooperation
4.8
Adaptability/Flexibility
4.7
Stress Tolerance
4.5
Attention to Detail
4.5
Social Orientation
4.4
Analytical Thinking
4.4
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Typical duration: 4 years
Preparation Level
Job Zone 5
Extensive Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:Bachelor's degree plus work experience, or graduate degree
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Training:
Extensive training and work experience required
💼 Experience Requirement
Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience needed
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Master's or doctoral degree
- • Extensive work experience in the field
- • State licensure or professional certification
5
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
Most of these occupations require graduate school. These may include master's, doctoral, or professional degrees.
Master's or doctoral degreeExtensive work experience in the fieldState licensure or professional certification
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